Apple Settles Siri Privacy Lawsuit for $95 Million, resolving allegations that the voice assistant recorded users without their consent. While the tech giant denies any wrongdoing, the settlement aims to avoid a lengthy legal battle. Compensation for affected users may reach up to $20 per device.
Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle allegations that its virtual assistant Siri recorded users without their consent. While denying any wrongdoing, the tech giant has reached a preliminary settlement to resolve the class action, which was filed in a Northern California court.
The lawsuit claimed Siri sometimes activated unintentionally and recorded conversations without the required “Hey, Siri” wake command. Lead plaintiff Fumiko Lopez alleged that conversations between her and her daughter were recorded and shared with advertisers. She reported receiving targeted ads after discussing specific products like Air Jordans. Apple stated that recordings prior to October 2019 had been permanently deleted and maintained its compliance with privacy laws.
Settlement Terms and Class Action Impact
Under the settlement terms, U.S. users who owned Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2019 could receive payouts of up to $20 per device. Lawyers handling the case are set to receive 30% of the settlement, amounting to nearly $30 million.
Class action lawsuits allow a small group of plaintiffs to represent a larger population with similar claims. If approved, compensation will be distributed among all eligible participants. Apple has proposed February 14 as the court decision date for the settlement. By resolving the lawsuit out of court, Apple avoids the risk of a larger payout if the case proceeded to trial.
Apple has faced multiple high-profile class actions in recent years. In 2024, it paid $500 million to settle claims of intentionally slowing down iPhones and $490 million in the UK for similar allegations. Despite these challenges, Apple’s revenue for the quarter ending September 28, 2024, reached $94.9 billion, solidifying its status as one of the world’s most profitable companies.
Broader Legal Implications
The law firm representing this Siri case is pursuing similar allegations against Google for eavesdropping through its devices. That lawsuit is also being heard in Northern California.
In the UK, consumer group Which? has filed a separate class action accusing Apple of overcharging for its iCloud services. These cases reflect increasing scrutiny of tech companies over privacy concerns and corporate accountability.
Apple continues to face these challenges while defending its commitment to user privacy and technological innovation.
